Introduction

William F. Ogburn, an American sociologist discussed the concept of cultural lag in his book
‘Social Change with Respect to Culture and Original Nature’ in 1922. According to Ogburn,
cultural lag is a societal phenomenon due to the tendency of material culture to change rapidly
while non-material culture tends to resist. Owing to the opposing nature of these two aspects of
culture, the adoption of new technology becomes difficult.
However, problems caused by the cultural lag can be cope through changing the
perception about the technology, adopting rational values in the society and updating the laws
and policies according to the new social problems. If adequate steps are not taken, then problems
caused by cultural lag can cause chaos in society.

1. Perception about technology

In Pakistani society, people perceive technology as a source of evil. If children are
spending more time with their laptops and mobile phones, parents will assume that this
new technology has spoiled their children.
Instead of pointing out their children behavior they blame the technology.
However, technology is neutral, it depends upon human beings how they use it. It’s their
choice to get benefited or to be spoiled.

2. Prevailing Rational values in the society

Irrational values within the society always resist the non-material change which causes
chaos in the society. For example, developed countries are fighting against polio in
underdeveloped countries, spending millions of dollars for their welfare.
On the other hand, people in Pakistani society have their own values regarding the
polio vaccine, they consider it as a source of various other diseases. Sometimes polio
workers are attacked in the field. Such irrational values are the hurdle to social welfare.

3. Learning new technology

People with outdated skills or poor technological education are expected to develop
technophobic opinions and resist to any technological change. This is because these
people are afraid of losing their jobs.
As a result, there should be a way out from this dead-end for these people and this
should come from learning new technology. Pakistani educational system should
introduce new technologies to cope with the situation.

4. Efficient law making

The social problems caused by the cultural lag can be intensified if the laws and policies
are not updated. The emergence of social media creates new problems which human
beings were not facing prior.
For example, the government has laws against robbery and murder, but do they
have laws against internet trolling that can ruin an individual’s life and leads to suicide.
 To cope with the cultural lag government must update his laws according to modern
crimes.

5. Socialization of Children
Youngsters are eager to use new technologies and are comfortable with that. But alders
are resisted and sceptic about technological advancement. This creates a generation gap
between parents and their children.
This gap can bridge through understanding the needs of each other. Parents must
have to understand that their children will no longer abide the cultural values unless they
are logically convinced.
However, the children should also understand that their parents have their own
views and experiences about life, and it is not easy to transform them in on night.

Conclusion
Material change always evolves rapidly compare to non- material change. The gap between the
material and non- material culture cause resistance to change and advancement. Change is a
constant phenomenon, but it creates chaos in society if material change evolves rapidly then non-
material.
Owing to technological advancement material change always evolve rapidly. However,
changing perceptions towards technology, imparting rational values within society and bridging
the generational gap, cultural lag cab be coped efficiently.